FROM Queen Victoria I to Grace Kelly's high society turn as the Princess of Monaco, royal weddings have always been a casue for national celebration.
The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, chose Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen for her regal walk up the aisle, and our royal wedding photo album documents the changing wedding dresses through history.
While the Queen Mother married King George VI in 1923 in a simple wedding dress - in-keeping with an era in which Coco Chanel made unstructured styles de rigueur - designed by court dressmaker Madame Handley Seymour, 58 years later Diana Princess of Wales made headlines, and designer Elizabeth Emanuel a household name, by marrying Prince Charles in a wedding gown featuring an extravagant 25-foot-long train.
Fast-forward 24 years and the trends change again, as Prince Charles' second bride, Camilla Parker Bowles (now the Duchess of Cornwall), chooses an elegant two-piece designed by Antonia Robinson and Anne Valentine, with statement headwear created by Philip Treacy.
For aristocratic grooms, military uniforms tended to rank highly. Although Prince William may decide to take sartorial inspiration for his big day from the adorable little outfit he wore to witness the Duke and Duchess of York tie the knot in 1986. Explore the history of Royal weddings.
FEBRUARY 1840 - Queen Victoria marries Prince Albert at the Chapel Royal, St. James’ Palace in London.
JULY 1893 – King George V marries Queen Mary at the Chapel Royal, St. James’ Palace in London.
MARCH 1863 – King Edward VII marries Princess Alexandra of Denmark at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor.
APRIL 1923 – Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (later the Queen Mother) leaving her home to marry King George VI in Westminster Abbey in London.
NOVEMBER 1947 – Queen Elizabeth II marries the Duke of Edinburgh at Westminster Abbey in London.
APRIL 1956 – Prince Rainier III marries Grace Kelly in Monaco.
JUNE 1937 – Duke of Windsor marries Wallis Simpson at the Château de Candé in France.
MAY 1960 – Princess Margaret marries Antony Armstrong-Jones at Westminster Abbey in London.